Lint always detracts from the appearance of clothing. Getting rid of lint can be a tedious and time-consuming task, whether it originates from a blocked lint trap or a dusty wardrobe.
Here are several suggestions to assist you in eliminating lint and to avoid this inconvenience from occurring in the future.
Contents
Ways to Eliminate Lint from Your Clothes
Rewash the garments.
If you’ve done a laundry load and noticed a lot of lint, it’s important to identify the item responsible for the issue. Remove the offending piece and rewash the clothes (there’s no need to include detergent this time). Instead, add a cup of distilled white vinegar or a measure of liquid fabric softener during the rinse cycle. The agitation during washing will help remove the lint, while the vinegar will relax the fabric fibers, making it easier to detach the lint.
Dry in a tumble dryer using microfiber cloths.
Put the item covered in lint into a dryer along with a few microfiber cloths, as the lint will adhere to the cloths. Tumble the items until they are slightly damp. Afterward, take them out of the dryer and use a lint brush or a sticky lint roller to eliminate any leftover lint.
Give a Dryer Sheet a Go
If your clothing is covered in lint or pet hair, place it in the dryer on the air-only setting along with a dryer sheet to assist in eliminating as much lint as you can before washing. Ensure that the dryer lint filter is clean before you begin the air cycle.
Utilize Anti-Static Spray
If you’re short on time to wash your clothes again, try using an anti-static spray, like Static Guard, on the fabric, and then follow up by using a lint roller or a dry cellulose sponge to remove lint. These methods are also effective for getting rid of pet hair from your garments.
Take a lint roller, a tape dispenser, or a rubber glove.
If you lack a lint roller, you can wrap some strong packing tape around your fingers to remove lint effectively. Another option is to use a damp rubber glove to brush the fabric, as the lint will adhere to the glove’s surface.
Increase the Heat
If your clothing is covered in lint, try using a clothes steamer or hanging it in a steamy bathroom for about 15 minutes prior to using a lint brush. The moisture will help to lessen the static cling that makes the lint stick to the fabric.
Tips for Organizing Laundry to Minimize Lint Formation
To avoid an overabundance of lint, it’s important to pay attention to how you organize your laundry. Certain materials tend to release lint, while others tend to attract it, so it’s advisable to wash these types separately. Additionally, sorting lint-shedding fabrics by color is also recommended.
- Garments made from cotton
- Towels and robes made from cotton terry fabric.
- Chenille coverlets
- Microfiber and man-made textiles
- Knitted textiles
- Corduroy and various velvety materials
Ways to Eliminate Lint from Your Washing Machine and Dryer
Certain older washing machines feature a lint trap that requires regular maintenance. This trap is typically found on the side or the upper edge of the drum. In contrast, modern washing machines are equipped with self-cleaning lint filters, which are generally situated beneath the agitator in top-loading models and at the back of the drum in front-loading machines.
Although self-cleaning is a convenient feature, it can lead to lint and hair becoming trapped if insufficient water is used to thoroughly rinse them from the machine. To effectively remove lint, it is advisable to perform a cleaning cycle once a month.
Inspect the filter of your water pump.
An abundance of lint on garments post-wash could suggest that the water pump filter is blocked. In such cases, the wash and rinse water, along with the accumulated lint, drains at a sluggish pace, resulting in residue being left on damp clothing.
To clean the pump filter, begin by removing the outer casing of your washing machine. In the case of front-loading machines, the lower panel can be easily detached, granting you access to the clean-out filter. For top-loading machines, refer to your washing machine’s manual for instructions on how to reach the water pump. You might discover a buildup of lint, coins, buttons, or even a sock, which could be the reason for a sluggish drain and lint residue on your laundry.
Maintain a clean lint filter.
Each dryer is equipped with a lint filter designed to trap lint that is removed from damp garments during the drying process. Maintaining a clean lint filter is crucialotherwise, lint may settle back onto the clothes since it has no alternative outlet. Additionally, it is vital to ensure that the dryer vent system and exterior vents are free from obstructions to promote adequate airflow, which not only helps to eliminate lint but also reduces the risk of fire hazards.
Extra Suggestions for Managing Lint Effectively
- To avoid lint accumulating on the exterior of your clothes, turn garments inside out before washing. Conversely, if you have a lint-covered item, such as a white shirt worn beneath a black sweater, wash it with the outside facing out to effectively remove the lint from the fabric.
- When loading your washing machine, make sure not to exceed its capacity. Overloading can cause lint to settle back onto your clothes, as the water won’t be able to rinse it away effectively.
- Incorporate a fabric softener during the last rinse cycle to aid in loosening fibers and allowing lint to be washed away. You have the option to use a store-bought fabric softener, a DIY version, or even distilled white vinegar. If fabric softener isn’t added in the washing machine, consider using a dryer sheet or wool dryer balls in the dryer to minimize static cling, which can cause lint to adhere to garments.
- Avoid placing lint-producing garments like sweaters and bathrobes next to clothes that attract lint, and ensure that dark-colored items are stored separately from light-colored ones.
